City Hall Roll Call: September 22nd, 2022
City Hall Roll Call: September 22nd, 2022
Council Weekly Meeting Returns to Chambers, At-Large Replacement Members Chosen
Welcome to Thursday’s City Hall Roll Call, powered by The Committee of Seventy.
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Welcome to City Hall Roll Call, a summary of City Council’s weekly Stated Meeting. Reminder, the information provided below is not an official or complete record. City Council’s official legislative database can be accessed through Legistar.
For a full play-by-play of the Council session, including speeches and public comment, be sure to follow me on Twitter. Also, don’t forget to tune in on Tuesday mornings at 10:25 a.m. to WURD Radio and Reality Check’s “City Council Calendar with Lauren Vidas.” Show host Charles Ellison and I preview the issues and break down the legislation that Council will tackle at its Thursday meeting.
Session Recap:
City Council session was a relatively quiet affair with the biggest news of the day being the filling of the leadership position vacancy left by the resignation of Cherelle Parker earlier this fall. Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th) was elected Majority Leader, a post he previously had held. Councilmember Mark Squilla received a promotion from Deputy Majority Whip to Majority Whip and Councilmember Cindy Bass was elected Deputy Majority Whip.
Mayor Jim Kenney (D) sent Council a resolution reappointing James Aros, Jr., to the position of Chief Assessment Officer of the Office of Property Assessment (OPA). During the last budget session, the OPA came under scrutiny from Council after it released its first citywide reassessment in almost three years. Homeowners throughout the city saw the residential property values increase by an average of 31% with almost a quarter of all single-family homes saw their values rise by over 50%. Council passed a package of bills to soften the blow of the increases as part of the budget, but has continued to express concern about the OPA’s methodology. The resolution has not yet been introduced into Council, and would likely be referred to the Committee of the Whole if introduced.
Additional Council Vacancies To Be Filled
Democratic Ward Leaders from across the city met again last Thursday to nominate replacements for the two At-Large seats vacated by Allan Domb and Derek Green. Ward leaders nominated Sharon Vaughn, a former Council staffer and Jimmy Harrity, a former aide to State Senator Shariff Street, to be on the Democratic ticket for the November 8th Special Election.
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Subject Matter)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
🗺️ Land Disposition / Acquisition
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing Public Property to transfer land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 3rd Councilmanic District. (Gauthier)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Resolution authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. (Clarke)
📜 Charter Change
Bill proposing an Amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule charter to change the requirements for contributions and balance of the budget stabilization reserve. (Gilmore-Richardson)
Resolution companion resolution proposing an Amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule charter to change the requirements for contributions and balance of the budget stabilization reserve. (Gilmore-Richardson)
🚔 Public Safety
Bill revising prohibited activities for commissioners to the Citizens Police Oversight Committee. (Jones)
Bill creating a rewards program for citizens for the provision of information regarding certain civil and criminal conduct. (Thomas)
🚦Streets
Bill establishing parking regulations in the Second Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Bill establishing parking regulations in the Second Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Bill establishing parking regulations in the Second Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Bill establishing parking regulations in the Second Councilmanic District. (Johnson)
Bill authorizing the revision of lines and grades in the 5th Councilmanic District. (Clarke)
Bill authorizing a right of way on land located in the 10th Councilmanic District for public utility purposes. (O’Neill)
💸 Finance / Budget
Bill authorizing the increase in non-electoral debtedness of the City and authorize the sale of bonds. (Clarke)
⚖️ Privileged Resolutions (Authorizing Hearings / Urging Action)
Resolution calling on the First Judicial District to fully implement the Philadelphia Gun Violence Prevention program and authorizing hearings on implementation and impact of red flag laws. (Jones)
Bills and Resolutions Introduced Today (By Member)
Due to the volume, ceremonial resolutions introduced by Councilmembers that honor or memorialize individuals or organizations will not be listed below, but can be found on Legistar.
Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (D-2nd)
Bill - Establishing parking regulations in the Second Councilmanic District.
Bill - Establishing parking regulations in the Second Councilmanic District.
Bill - Establishing parking regulations in the Second Councilmanic District.
Bill - Establishing parking regulations in the Second Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (D-3rd)
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing Public Property to transfer land located in the 3rd Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of properties located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. (D-4th)
Bill - Revising prohibited activities for commissioners to the Citizens Police Oversight Committee.
Resolution - Calling on the First Judicial District to fully implement the Philadelphia Gun Violence Prevention program and authorizing hearings on implementation and impact of red flag laws.
Council President Darrell Clarke (D-5th)
Bill - Authorizing the increase in non-electoral debtedness of the City and authorize the sale of bonds.
Bill - Authorizing the revision of lines and grades in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the Land Bank to dispose of property located in the 5th Councilmanic District.
Resolution - Authorizing the transfer of land located in the 5th Councilmanic District to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.
Councilmember Brian O’Neill (R-10th)
Bill - Authorizing a right of way on land located in the 10th Councilmanic District for public utility purposes.
Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson (D-AL)
Bill - Proposing an Amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule charter to change the requirements for contributions and balance of the budget stabilization reserve.
Resolution - Companion resolution proposing an Amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule charter to change the requirements for contributions and balance of the budget stabilization reserve.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-AL)
Bill - Creating a rewards program for citizens for the provision of information regarding certain civil and criminal conduct.
Bills and Resolutions Passed by City Council at its September 22nd Session
Resolutions:
🗣️ 220667 (Gym): Declaring the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to protect and expand reproductive rights and abortion access in the face of extraordinary threats, and authorizing a task force to advance recommendations and coordinate initiatives to ensure that all Philadelphians as well as those who seek care here are able to exercise their fundamental right to bodily autonomy.
🗺️ 220673 (Clarke): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2151 Fairhill Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
🏆 220674 (Jones): Recognizing and honoring Philadelphia Police Officers Taylor Sidler and Paul Watson for protecting the lives of community residents by immediately, and heroically, springing to action in response to a shooting at Shepard Recreation Center on August 16, 2022.
🏆 220675 (Jones): Supporting the National Minority Business Development Agency and recognizing October 3, 2022 through October 7, 2022 as Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, which provides critical information, resources, opportunities and inspiration to the minority business community.
🏆 220676 (Jones): Congratulating Philadelphia-native Quinta Brunson for winning the 2022 Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for her hit television show Abbott Elementary.
🏆 220677 (Jones): Congratulating Sheryl Lee Ralph on her historic 2022 Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Abbott Elementary.
🏆 220678 (Johnson): Honoring Anne Bovaird Nevins for her service as president of PIDC, and wishing her the best in her future endeavors.
🗺️ 220679 (Johnson): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2809, 2822, 2824, 2825, 2826, 2827 and 2828 Wharton Street, 1308-26, 1323, 1327 and 1355 S Dover Street and 1351 S. 29th Street (including 1354 S. Dover Street) located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220680 (Johnson): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2609 27 Sears Street (including 1308-14 S. 26th Street) located in the 2nd Councilmanic District.
🏆 220681 (Johnson): Naming the 1700 block of South 22nd Street “Emma Hatton Wilson Way,” to honor Emma Hatton Wilson for a lifetime of service to the South Philadelphia community.
🏆 220682-A (Johnson): Honoring the life and legacy Philadelphia’s own Rakim Hasheem Allen, known worldwide by the stage name PnB Rock, on the occasion of his untimely passing.
🏆 220683 (Brooks): Honoring the life and achievements of Michael Hinson, Jr., whose art, leadership, and activism established community strongholds for Black and brown LGBTQ youth and led to critical civil rights advancements for LGBTQ people in Philadelphia.
🔏 220685 (Gauthier): Approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Haddington Urban Renewal Area, Unit No. 1, identified by house number and street address as 5217-5219 Haverford avenue; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with Spectrum Health Services, Inc. and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract.
🏆 220686 (O'Neill): Honoring and congratulating Philadelphia Soccer Club 05 Coppa Rage Girls Soccer Team.
🗺️ 220687 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2318 E. Boston Street and 2160 E. Gordon Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
🗺️ 220688 (Squilla): Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2863, 2868 Amber Street, 2044, 2077 E. Birch Street, 2118, 2138, 2142, 2150 Bellmore Street, 2115, 2140 E. Monmouth Street, 2100, 2108, 2117, 2120, 2138 E. Orleans Street, and 2106, 2150 E. Stella Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
🏆 220691 (Squilla): Naming Shunk Street, between 10th Street and Alder Street, as “Julian Angelucci Way”.
🏆 220694 (Bass): Recognizing and honoring the life and accomplishments of Charlene Curtis.
🏆 220695 (Bass): Naming the 2000 - 2100 blocks of Lehigh Avenue as “Pastor Benjamin Smith, Sr. Drive” in honor of the late Pastor Benjamin Smith, Sr., to commemorate his forty-one years of vibrant preaching at Deliverance Evangelistic Church, and the economic revitalization of Lehigh Avenue that occurred under his leadership.
🏆 220696 (Oh): Recognizing September 2022 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Philadelphia in honor of childhood cancer patients, care givers, survivors, and those children who have succumbed to the disease.
🏆 220697 (Oh): Recognizing and honoring the life and legacy of Joey DeFrancesco.
🏆 220698 (Oh): Honoring and recognizing Wilfredo P. Rojas for his towering achievements as a leading civil rights activist for the Latino community in Philadelphia.
🏆 220700 (Oh): Recognizing September as National Recovery Month in Philadelphia and celebrating the 21st Annual PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! to promote recovery and work to end the stigma surrounding drug and alcohol addiction.
🏆 220### (Thomas): Recognizing the Champion of the Week, a local Girls Roller Derby Team.
⚖️ 220### (Jones): Calling on the First Judicial District to fully implement the Philadelphia Gun Violence Prevention program and authorizing hearings on implementation and impact of red flag laws.
🏆 220### (Jones): Recognizing September as Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
🏆 220### (Gauthier): Recognizing October 13th as Children's Environmental Health Day.
🏆 220### (Gauthier): Recognizing the Drexel University Black Alumni Council for releasing its first book.
🏆 220### (Oh): Recognizing October 2022 as Filipino Heritage Month.
🏆 220### (Oh): Recognizing and thanking the United States Marine Corps on its 237th Anniversary.
Bills:
🏗️ 220007 (Gauthier): Amending Chapter 14-500 of The Philadelphia Code entitled, “Overlay Zoning Districts,” by amending a section as proposed to be added by Bill No. 210778, entitled the “/AHP, Affordable Housing Preservation Overlay District” to add certain areas, within the area bounded by Haverford Avenue, 38th Street, Walnut Street and 46th Street, to the district and making other changes.
📆 Upcoming City Council Public Hearings
(Click on the Committee listing to download the full agenda of bills and resolutions for the meeting.)
Monday, September 17th
Committee on Finance, 10:00 AM - the committee will meet to consider bills related to fixing typographical errors in the recently passed budget tax code.